Black Knot Disease at Dacey Field

"In August 2016, Conservation Commission staff discovered Black Knot Tree Disease on various Black Cherry trees at Dacey Field. The most impacted areas consist of dense Eastern White Pine stands with Black Cherry trees mixed in. 

The ‘Nature Walk’ section of Dacey has many infected trees. Black Knot is a disease caused by fungal parasite, Trichothecium roseum, and leaves charcoal-like lumps on branches and twigs of trees, especially trees in the Prunus family. 

The disease can bring leaf wilt and also death of leaves, twigs, branches, and even the entire tree. Winter management efforts include pruning and sanitation of trees that have not been heavily impacted. The infected branches and twigs should be burned, buried, or removed from the site eliminate the spread of the disease. 

Fungicides have been used successfully in severely impacted areas. It is recommended that an experienced arborist explore Dacey to determine how severely the disease has spread throughout the forest before management efforts are made. From a quick run through, more than half the Black Cherry trees observed were infected."

black knot disease photo from American Phytopathological Society

References:

http://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/intropp/lessons/fungi/ascomycetes/pages/blackknot.aspx

http://www.ct.gov/caes/lib/caes/documents/publications/fact_sheets/plant_pathology_and_ecology/black_knot_of_ornamental_plum_and_cherry_4-02-08r.pdf

http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/trees-shrubs/black-knot/

• This information was shared from the Town of Franklin page

http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA541-000F8513

• For more info about the Conservation Commission, visit their page

http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Conservation/index

Social Media Roundup: scam alert, drug that kills, rain garden tour, golf fund raiser

Items that I saved from my Facebook feed that seemed share worthy. You likely realize that everyone's Facebook feed is unique to themselves. What you see is not what someone else sees. The continuous Facebook algorithm changes makes it hard for groups to get their message to a broad audience without having to pay to "boost the post". Hence, from time to time, I'll share what I find that makes sense for Franklin to be aware of.

Scam alert from Franklin Police

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/get-there/wp/2016/08/25/that-is-not-the-irs-calling-you/

Via NPR comes this on the latest in opioid drugs that kill

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/09/02/492108992/an-even-deadlier-opioid-carfentanil-is-hitting-the-streets?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20160902

The Charles River Watershed Association write up of the recent tour of Franklin's rain gardens

http://blog.crwa.org/blog/take-a-tour-of-franklins-best-rain-gardens

FHS boys basketball boosters schedule a golf outing as a fund raiser Oct 8th

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2016-franklin-boys-basketball-alumni-and-friends-golf-tournament-registration-27345808048

sun rise on the Town Common

In the News: Friends of the Poor Walk, Healing Hands for Arthritis

From the Milford Daily News, articles of interest for Franklin:

"The Society of St. Vincent dePaul of St. Mary’s Parish in Franklin will sponsor the Friends of the Poor Walk from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 26 at the Parish of St. Mary, 1 Church Square, Franklin. 

Walkers will collect pledges, and the money promised to them from family, friends, neighbors and co-workers and turn it in to the parish on the day of the walk. All collected funds stay in Franklin to help those in need, regardless of faith. 

The walk will begin at the intersection of Church Square and Oak Street, right onto Oak to Iroquois, to the end of Iroquois and back to St. Mary’s Church. The route is 3 miles. Walkers may turn back at Lucius Street for a 2-mile walk. 

To register: stmarysfranklin.org. This site gives all necessary information for the local walk. People may also register on the actual day of the walk, beginning at 9 a.m."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160903/society-of-st-vincent-depaul-to-host-friends-of-poor-walk

St Mary's Church, Franklin

"Local Massage Envy locations will host the sixth annual Healing Hands for Arthritis event Sept. 28 to raise donations for the Arthritis Foundation’s efforts to find a cure and enrich the lives of those affected by arthritis. 

On Sept. 28, $10 from each one-hour wellness massage and Murad Healthy Skin facial service will be donated to the Arthritis Foundation. In addition, 10 percent of in-store purchases on that day are donated."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20160903/massage-envy-to-hold-healing-hands-for-arthritis

Monday - Labor Day: Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule

The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule for Labor Day, 09/05/16.

Affected routes:

• Newburyport/Rockport Line
• Haverhill Line
• Lowell Line
• Fitchburg Line
• Framingham/Worcester Line
• Needham Line
• Franklin Line
• Fairmount Line
• Providence/Stoughton Line
• Middleborough/Lakeville Line
• Kingston/Plymouth Line
• Greenbush Line

**Please note that there is no Sunday service for the Needham Line.

Last updated: Sep 02 2016 11:04 AM

Click here for more information: http://www.mbta.com/events/

boarding the train in Franklin heading to Boston

DelCarte Open Space Guidebook

The Guide Book for DelCarte Open Space Area has been published. Much of it seems to have been repurposed from the invasive species study conducted last year, this guide book focuses less on the technical aspects of the recreational space and more on how to utilize the space. Trail maps, sample photos of the wild life and fish are included.

You can read it and download it from here



or here
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0wjbnXDBhczdXV2UkM5NkFxc2M


Or from the Town of Franklin webpage here
http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024BA540-000F8513

on the northern pond at DelCarte

• The full study can be found here

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2016/02/ecological-and-management-study-of.html

Another affordable house is available for Franklin residents

Another affordable house is available for Franklin residents. The application details can be found here:  http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_Admin/5%20Marks%20Way/





http://franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024B202A-000F8513

5 Marks Way, Franklin, MA

MassBudget: Effects of a $15 minimum wage across Massachusetts and regionally

New study shows benefits by region, city

The Effects of a $15 Minimum Wage on Working People and Families in Massachusetts Phasing in an increase of the minimum wage to $15 by 2021 would boost the incomes of 29 percent of the Massachusetts workforce. MassBudget's new report analyzes the effect of such an increase across 52 regions in the state, finding that at least 15 percent of workers in every region of Massachusetts would see their wages rise, and in some regions more than 40 percent of wage earners would benefit. In addition to lower-income households, an increase of the hourly minimum wage to $15 would benefit many middle-income families. In some families one adult may make $30,000 a year or more while another works at a minimum wage job making $20,000.  That family isn't in poverty, but when anyone in that household gets a raise, it helps the family to pay for basic necessities and provide a better life for their children.  The report finds that statewide, a $15 minimum would increase the incomes of 22 percent of working parents - and 31 percent of all children in the state would benefit.    The statewide minimum wage is currently scheduled to rise to $11 per hour in 2017, meaning a full-time worker at the minimum wage will earn $22,880 next year. MassBudget's projections for the effects of a $15 minimum wage assume the current hourly minimum wage being increased by $1 per year until 2021.    The link to the MassBudget report is HERE. The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, 15 Court Square, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02108 Sent by nberger@massbudget.org in collaboration with Try it free today